Tool



Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

ABBA ARDGN PROEFITT, (3F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC sari OFFlCE.

COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COBPORATIONIOF NEVJ YORK.

'TOOL.

Application filed July 20,

1;; pointed and slightly curvedfor use with cable strands. V A resilient guard carried by the shank serves to normally shield the pointed end thereof and is, designed to deflect when pressed a 'ainst a cable, thereby permitting the free and convenient use of the awl.

The objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompany i ng drawing, wherein 2.1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a guarded cable awl representing one en'ibodiment of the invention, said awl being shown in operative association with a cable;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View of 3c the working portion of the awl and associated guard, the guard being shown in its normal tool shielding position, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Fig. 2 disclosing the resilient guard in a deflected position to permit the free manipulation of the working portion of the tool.

Referring now to the drawin s wherein like numerals have been employedto designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed in Fig. 1 that one embodiment of the invention consists in a cable or strand working tool denoted general- 1y by the numeral 10. This tool 10 comprises a tool shank 11 secured at one end to a suitable manipulating handle 12, the opposite or working end of the shank 11 being slightly curved and formed so as topresent a pointed working tip 14. The design of the working portion of the shaiik 11 is such as to peculiarly adaptit for extensive use in connection with the manipulation of individual strands of a cable 15 as clearly disclosed in Fig. 1.

A resilient guard 16 of the tool 10 comprises a flexible strip 18 which is suitably secured at one extremity at the junction of the shank 11 tained in a ,1927. Serial No. 207,069.

and the tool handle 12. The opposite or free extremity of the strip 18 is formed. with a loop portion. 19 having a slot 20to permit companion portions of the loop 19 which form the sides of the slot 20 to be yieldingly mainguarding or shielding relation with respect to the pointer tip M of the shank 11 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and It will be clear that when the guard la; is in its norinal position, the loop 19 thereof will serve to effectively shield the tip 14: and in order to operatively associate the tip'l l withthe strands of the cable 15 or to insert the tip letween the cable and binding stitchings hi, it is only necessary tocause the deflection of the guard 16. This deflection may K3 very readily produced by pressing theportions 12) against the outer surface or the cable 15 or other material with which the toolis asso- In the operation of tl'retool 10 when used in connection with cable strands, it is only necessary for the user to carry the shielded tip 14 into association with the outer surface of the cable 15 or the stitchings 21 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. By pressing the tip of the guard 16 against the cable deflected away from the tip 14 which is then in a position to be inserted between the individual cable strands or beneath the stitchings 21 as may be desired. In forming telephone switchboard cables it is sometimes necessary to insert an additional cable strand after the stitchings 21 have been applied as shown in Fig. 1 to the cable 15. In order to accomplish this it is necessary to raise the individual stitchings to permit the insertion therebencath of the add ed cable strand. In such instances the user sometimes holds the tool 10 with the right hand by gripping the handle 12 and the left hand is gripped about the cable 15 immediately ahead of the point where the tool is applied. In this manner the users left hand serves to steady the cable and counteract the force occasioned by the advancement of the tip 14: into the cable strands beneath the stitching, and it will be obvious that when an prevent injury to the users left hand. l-iaving the tool equipped with the described guard, the hazards incident to such an operation are materially reduced and the infliction of injuries practically eliminated. It will also be clear that the guard 16 which normally occupies a tool shielding position also serves to prevent injuries which often result from inherently dangerous tools which are permitted to lie promiscuously about a shop. In such instances the guard 16 supplies a very effective means for preventing injury and likewise to prevent the guarded portion of the tool from being unnecessarily mutilated. By deflecting the resilient guard in the manner described the tool may be em )loyed freelyand safely.

Although the invention has herein been described in connection with a guarded tool or awl for handling strand. material, obvious ly it is capable of many other applications and therefore the invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool including a working element, and a member for shielding the we sing element fixed at one portion thereto, said member being adapted to swing away from the "orking element upon engagement thereof with the work to which the tool is applied to permit the free use of the tool.

2. A tool including a working element, and a member for completely shielding the working portion of the element fixed at one portion thereto, said shielding member being adapted to move laterally of the working element upon engagement thereof with the work to which the tool is applied to permit the free use of the tool.

3. A tool including a working element, and a resilient member for shielding the working element, said member bein resiliently held in normal shielding relation with respect to the working portion of the element, and

adapted to deflect upon engagement thereof with thework to which the tool is applied to permit the free use of the tool.

at. A tool including a sharp working element, and a guard comprising a resilient member secured at one extremity tothe working element and formed at the other extremity to shield the sharp portion of the working element and adapted to deflect from the sharp portion upon the association of the tool with the ork to permit the free use of the tool.

5. A tool including a pointed working element, a resilient guard strip secured at one extren'iity to the working element, and a shielding member at the free extremity of the trip having an arcuate surface for engagement with the work with which he tool is sociated to effect the proper deflection of the guard strip.

6. A strand working tool including a pointed element curved at the pointed end thereof, a handle supporting the opposite'end of the element, and a resilient guard strip secured at one extremity to the junction of the pointed element and the handle, the free end of the strip being formed With a loop portion for shielding the pointed end of the working element. 7

7. A tool including a working element, and a member for shielding the working element operatively connected thereto, said member having a bifurcated portion between the furcations of which the working element normal ly is positioned and upon engagement of the bifurcated portion with the work to which the tool is applied the member moves to permit the free use of the tool.

8. A tool including a working element, and a member for shielding the working element resiliently connected thereto, said member at one extremity having a bifurcated portion extending laterally therefrom between the furcations of which the working element normally is positioned and upon engagement of the portion with the work to which the tool is applied the member'yields to permit the free use of the tool.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of July, A. 1).. 1927.

ABBA ARDON PROFFITT. 

